According to a recent report by the Daily Mail, Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is ready to force a move away from Stamford Bridge when the transfer window reopens in January. It is understood that the Pensioners prospect is seeking a loan switch away from the West London club after his gamble to stay backfired with Maurizio Sarri failing to provide him with regular first-team minutes this season.
The Rise And Fall Of Loftus-Cheek
The 22-year-old had an impressive 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign with England when he caught the eye while playing under Gareth Southgate’s stewardship over the summer. The English talent managed to help the Three Lions claim a strong fourth-place finish in the prestigious competition.
However, he is not part of the current team selected by Southgate for this international break which would be a massive disappointment for the player. There is no hiding from the fact that the lack of first-team opportunities has harmed Loftus-Cheek’s chances at the international stage.
The Chelsea starlet had a successful loan spell at Crystal Palace last season which helped him develop as a midfielder. The 22-year-old prospect had made 25 appearances for the Eagles last season, finding the back of the net twice while also creating five assists in all competitions
What Does The English Prospect Add To Sarri’s Team?
Loftus-Cheek is a strong physical presence at the centre of the park and has a habit of making some darting runs from midfield. He is often willing to take on his marker and is a good distributor of the ball. However, his defensive work-rate is quite low while his finishing also has a lot of room for improvement.
The English workhorse has all the attributes to become a world-class player in his position if given the opportunity to showcase his ability at the highest level on a weekly basis. Unless Sarri decides to hand Loftus-Cheek more first-team chances in the near future, he should depart the club either on loan or permanently in January.
Will His Departure Be A Good Move For All Parties?
However, the Chelsea midfield has a lot of depth with the likes of Ross Barkley, Jorginho, NGolo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Danny Drinkwater, and Cesc Fabregas all ahead of Loftus-Cheek in the Stamford Bridge pecking order. So the Pensioners won’t miss him that much if he leaves in January. Hence, a move away from West London might be the best option for both the player and the club going into the future.
